Brian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 798: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding an application under the childcare capital funding programme in respect of a creche and montessori (details supplied) in County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26527/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I secured €6m capital funding in Budget 2012 to fund a maintenance programme for childcare facilities. The funding will provide for urgent and essential repairs to childcare facilities to ensure that they are in a position to remain open and continue to provide the three childcare programmes implemented by my Department.

The maximum grant available to individual services under the programme is €50,000 (including VAT).

Pobal is administering the capital programme on behalf of my Department, and I understand that the appraisal process in now complete. In appraising applications, particular consideration and priority has been given to:

· Applications that were accompanied by a Health Service Executive pre-school inspection report supporting the need for the proposed works in terms of compliance with the Pre-School Regulations

· Applications that best demonstrated the need for the proposed works in terms, for example, of quality improvement to the childcare service

· Services previously funded under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000–2006, or the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006–2010

· Services located in or servicing areas of disadvantage

· The service's previous record in relation to adherence to contractual obligations under previous capital and current funding programmes.

I understand that Pobal has contacted Members of the Oireachtas with a view to providing an update on the outcome of the appraisal process. Furthermore a relevant contact point on the Pobal website, to which current and future queries should be directed, has also been provided.